Pram

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a perambulator (1), comprising: a folding frame provided with wheels (9); and a carrying element (5) connectable to the frame for carrying the child to be transported, wherein the frame comprises a substantially horizontally extending undercarriage (2) and a pushing element (3), wherein the pushing element (3) extends as a rigid unit above and as far as the undercarriage (2) and is hindegly connected to the undercarriage and wherein the carrying element is connectable to the pushing element. As a result of these steps, because the cross-shaped part of the frame of the prior art perambulators is omitted, a perambulator is obtained with a much smaller number of components. A perambulator is furthermore obtained of which the appearance is largely determined by the structure of the frame, which is generally seen in a positive light. According to a preferred embodiment the pushing element (3) of the perambulator is provided with two rods (17), each connected hingedly to the undercarriage (2), and with a substantially U-shaped push rod (20) connected thereto for sliding in longitudinal direction, wherein the push rod is lockable with the rods (17) in at least one position.

The invention relates to a pram, comprising a folding frame providedwith wheels and a carrying element connectable to the frame for carryingthe child to be transported, wherein the frame comprises a substantiallyhorizontally extending undercarriage and a pushing element.

Such child carriages are generally known. They are provided with a framewhich, in addition to the undercarriage, has a part with a cross-shapedstructure to which the pushing element is connected, and on whichcross-shaped structure the carrying element for the child can be placed.To enable storage of the perambulator in the smallest possible space orto enable it to be taken along in for instance the boot of a car, such aperambulator is collapsible. This generally takes place by removing thecarrying element and by folding up the part of the frame with thecross-shaped structure by means of tilting the pushing element. Theframe can hereby be folded to a height which is usually slightly smallerthan the height of the wheels. Furthermore, the wheels are in many casesalso detachable from the frame.

Such a perambulator of the prior art comprises a large number of parts,whereby production is expensive and the frame is relatively heavy.

The object of the present invention is to provide a perambulator whichis lighter and whereof the number of parts is smaller.

The invention moreover has for its object to provide a perambulatorwhich, because of its simple structure, has a more attractive appearancethan the perambulators of the prior art.

This object is achieved by a perambulator wherein the pushing elementextends as a rigid unit above and as far as the undercarriage and ishingedly connected to the undercarriage and wherein the carrying elementis connectable to the pushing element.

As a result of these steps, because the cross-shaped part of the frameof the prior art perambulators is omitted, a perambulator is obtainedwith a much smaller number of components. A perambulator is furthermoreobtained of which the appearance is largely determined by the structureof the frame, which is generally seen in a positive light.

Because the pushing element is connected hingedly to the undercarriagethe perambulator according to the invention is also foldable.

It is further noted that while perambulators are known in the form ofso-called "buggies", which likewise have two rods extending from thefront of the carriage obliquely rearward to the handles, a very largenumber of other rods is moreover still present in these perambulators ofthe prior art, so that these perambulators have many components and, ifthey are to be constructed sufficiently robustly, they are comparativelyheavy or must be manufactured from costly materials.

According to a preferred embodiment the pushing element of theperambulator is provided with two rods, each connected hingedly to theundercarriage, and with a substantially U-shaped push rod connectedthereto for sliding in longitudinal direction, wherein the push rod islockable with the rods in at least one position.

The present invention will be elucidated hereinbelow with reference tothe annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a perambulator according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the perambulator of FIG. 1 in foldedsituation;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one of the two hinge constructions formingpart of the perambulator according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a detail construction of the perambulatoraccording to the present invention.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a perambulator 1 formed by an undercarriage 2 and apushing element 3 hingedly connected to the undercarriage 2. Furtherfixed to pushing element 3 is a sub-frame 4 which is adapted to fix acarrycot 5 or a child seat 6.

The undercarriage 2 is formed by a U-shaped curved tube 7 onto which arefixed shaft stumps 8, on each of which wheels 9 can be rotatablymounted. A wire mesh basket 10 is arranged inside the U-shaped curvedtube 7.

Fixed on the frame close to both rear wheels is a braking mechanism 11formed by brackets 12 which are fixed to the U-shaped tube 7 and towhich a lever 13 is pivotally connected which is provided on both endswith brake sleeves 14 which can be placed with the foot against thetread of the relevant wheels 9. The braking mechanism further comprisesat least one spring 15 for urging the lever 13 to its active or inactiveposition.

The pushing element 3 is connected to the undercarriage 2 by means oftwo hinge constructions 16. The latter will be further elucidated withreference to FIG. 3.

The pushing element 3 is formed by two tubes 17 which are each connectedto one of the hinge constructions 16. On their other end a U-shapedcurved pushing tube 18 is placed into each of the tubes 17. The U-shapedpushing tube 18 is thus slidable in longitudinal direction inside bothtubes 17, wherein tube 18 is fixable in each of the tubes 17 by means offixation constructions 19 which will be elucidated with reference toFIG. 4.

A sheath 20 manufactured from plastic is further arranged on the pushingside of the U-shaped curved pushing tube 18.

Finally, the perambulator 2 comprises fixation constructions 21, 22respectively for fastening the sub-frame 4 to the tubes 17 and forfixing the sub-frame. These constructions will be elucidated withreference to FIG. 4. Both hinge constructions 16 are connected by aconnecting element 23 which also functions as foot rest.

FIG. 2 shows how the perambulator is folded up, wherein the pushingelement is tilted almost parallel to undercarriage 2, and wherein theU-shaped pushing tube 18 is pushed into both tubes 17. In this situationthe perambulator 1 takes up the smallest volume.

The hinge construction 16 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Hingeconstruction 16 comprises a component 24 which is manufactured fromplastic and provided with a sleeve 25 into which is inserted an end ofthe U-shaped tube 7 which is fixed therein by means of a pin 26. Thecomponent 24 comprises on its other side two cheeks 27 which areconnected on their upper part by a cover part 28, and wherein on the endof both cheeks 27 is arranged a hinge pin 29 in which another part 30 ofthe hinge construction is pivotally mounted.

The second part 30 runs out at its free end into a round rod 31 aroundwhich the relevant rod 17 is arranged, wherein rod 17 is fixed onto rod31 by means of a fixation pin 32. Using the above construction the rod17 can thus move downward as indicated by arrow 33. The second part 30extends further in line with rod 17 and is provided on its upper partwith a stop surface 34 for limiting the stroke of the part 30 up to thecover plate 28. On its outside the part 30 is provided with astrengthening side plate 35. For decorative purposes a sphere 36 isfurther arranged on the stop on plate 28.

In order to lock the hinge construction in its extreme position the part30 is provided with a locking tongue 37 which in its locked positionfalls into a space 38 inside a hook 39 arranged between both cheeks 27.Hook 39 is arranged pivotally between both cheeks 27 by means of a shaft40. A spring 41 presses hook 39 to the position in which the tongue 37,and therewith the second part 30 and thus the whole pushing element, islocked in its uppermost position. With the construction discussed up tothis point it is thus possible, by moving the pushing elementsufficiently far upward in a direction opposite to that of arrow 33, toplace the tongue 37 in engagement with the cavity 38 arranged in hook39.

Use is made for release purposes of a release mechanism formed by aflexible pushing member 41 in the form of a bowden cable arranged in arecess arranged for this purpose inside the rod 31 and the relevantportion of the second part 30. The bowden cable is provided on one sidewith a pressing piece 42 and on the other side with an excitationelement 43. The latter, and therewith the bowden cable 41 and thepressing element 42, are normally urged by means of a spring 44 to anextreme position in which the locking is maintained.

In order to release the lock use is made of the part is of the U-shapedpushing tube 18 extending inside the tube 17. Pushing tube 18 isprovided on both its ends with a solid portion 45 provided with achamfered edge 46. When pushing tube 18 is pushed in sufficiently, thesolid portion 45 presses against the excitation element 43, whereby thebowden cable 41 is pressed in and the pressure element 42 pushes awaythe hook 39 counter to the spring pressure of spring 47, whereby tongue37 is released from the cavity 38. The pushing element can subsequentlybe moved downward as according to arrow 33.

For further support of the pushing element each hinge construction 16 isprovided with a lever 48 which is rotatably connected to a cheek 49fixed to the sleeve 25. The other end of lever 48 is provided with atransversely extending pin 50 which extends in a pair of slots 52arranged in a sleeve 51. The sleeve 51 is connected to a sleeve-likecarriage 53 which is movable over tube 17. It is thus possible to movethe pushing element downward as according to arrow 33, wherein thesleeve-like carriage 53, and therewith the sleeve 51, are movable in thedirection of arrow 54. A certain degree of spring action is obtained dueto the presence of a spring 55 inside sleeve 51 and due to the fact thatthe transverse rod 50 can move along the slots 52.

In order to lock carriage 53 is the relevant position on rod 17, use ismade of a pin 56 which is guided through a guide sleeve 57 likewiseforming part of the carriage 53. In the locked position the pin 57extends through an aperture 58 arranged in tube 17. The pin 57 is urgedthrough the hole 58 by means of a spring 59.

In order to release pin 56 use is made of the chamfering 46 of the solidportion 45. When pushing rod 18 is moved downward the slanting side 46presses against a chamfered side 60 of pin 57 so that the latter ispressed out of the hole 58 and the carriage 53 can move along rod 17 andthe pushing element can be folded downward in the direction of arrow 33.

Thus is obtained the double safety usual in perambulators; both the hook39 and the pin 56 must be released.

Shown in FIG. 4 is the fixation construction 19 for fixing the pushingrod 18 in the rod 17. In order to enable fixation use is made of holes61 arranged in pushing rod 18. At the position of the fixation mechanism19 an aperture 62 is arranged in rod 17, while each time a hole 61 isarranged coinciding with aperture 62 a pin 63 can be inserted throughboth openings. Fixation can thus take place.

By moving the pin 63 in the direction perpendicular to the rods 17,18fixation can be engaged or disengaged.

For driving of the pin 63 the head of pin 63 is provided with a guideplate 64. In order to drive guide plate 64 use is made of a sleeve 65arranged slidably on tube 17. To facilitate sliding of sleeve 65 aplastic sheath 66 is arranged round tube 17 at the position of the slidepath, while the inside of sleeve 65 is provided with two pairs of guides67 which extend obliquely so that the longitudinal movement of sleeve 65results in a movement of both guides 67 perpendicularly thereof, andtherewith also of the guide plate 64 enclosed between guides 67 and ofthe pin 63. By thus sliding sleeve 19 longitudinally the fixationdefined by pin 63 can be engaged or disengaged.

So as to give warning that sleeve 65 is placed in a position such thatthere is no locking and the rod 18 is thus movable relative to rod 17, awarning in the form of a brightly coloured section can be arranged atthe relevant position on the sheath 66, which position is not shown inFIG. 4 because it is covered by sleeve 65.

In order to lock sub-frame 4 relative to rod 17 use is made on one sideof a mechanism 22 formed by a plate 68 which is fixedly connected to thesheath 66 and which is provided with a toothing on the side not shown inthe drawing. A similar plate 69 is fixed to sub-frame 4 by means of abracket 70, wherein plate 69 is provided with a toothing 71 on its outerside.

For mutual connection of both plates use is made of a screw 72 providedon one end with screw thread 73 onto which a nut 74 can be screwed andwhich is provided on its other side with a hammer head 75. Screw 72extends through openings arranged in the plates 68,69. The hammer head75 is received in a cavity 76 of a lever 77. The locking can bedisengaged by swinging away the lever.

Arranged on the other side of sub-frame 4 is a fixation device 21 whichis formed by a bracket 78 which is fastened to the sub-frame 4 and onwhich is arranged a ring 79 provided with internal toothing 80. On thesheath 66 of the other rod 17 arranged on the other side a bracket 81 islikewise arranged to which is fastened a ring 82 provided with internaltoothing 83. A tooth wheel 84 connecting onto at least the toothing 83is arranged between the two rings 79,82, wherein the toothing 85 oftooth wheel 84 is always in engagement with toothing 83.

Extending through openings arranged in brackets 78,81 and tooth wheel 84is a bolt 86 which is rigidly connected on one side with a push button87 and fixation of which bolt takes place on the other side by means ofa nut 88. A compression spring 89 and a plate 90 are furtheraccommodated between tooth wheel 84 and bracket 78. The toothing 85 oftooth wheel 84 normally engages with both toothing 80 and toothing 83.

By pressing the button 87 the tooth wheel 84 is pressed inward counterto the compression of spring 89, whereby the engagement with toothing 83is released. Both rings 79,82 can thus be rotated mutually and thebracket 4 can be rotated relative to the rods 17.

This is of importance in the situation where the frame has to be foldedup and in the situation where the perambulator is in use and theposition of sub-frame 4 depends on the manner of carrying the child;when for instance a carrycot is used the sub-frame 4 will have to beplaced horizontally and when a child's seat is used the sub-frame 4 willhave to be placed parallel to the rods 17.

The application of different types of locking mechanisms is associatedwith safety and the fact that only one mechanism can be operated at atime, since the second hand is needed to turn the sub-frame.

It will be apparent that other types of constructions can be appliedinstead of the constructions shown for the diverse components of thisperambulator.

We claim:
 1. Perambulator, comprising:a folding frame provided withwheels; and a carrying element connectable to the frame for carrying achild to be transported; wherein the frame comprises a substantiallyhorizontally extending undercarriage and a pushing element extending asa rigid unit above and as far as the undercarriage and being hingedlyconnected to the undercarriage, the pushing element comprising two rods,each said rod being hingedly connected to the undercarriage, and asubstantially U-shaped push rod connected to each of said two rods forsliding in a longitudinal direction, the push rod being lockable withthe two rods in at least one position, and the frame further comprisinga locking mechanism for locking the pushing element in at least oneangular position relative to the undercarriage, and a release mechanismconnected to the U-shaped push rod for cooperating with the U-shapedpush rod to release the locking mechanism.
 2. Perambulator as claimed inclaim 1 characterized in that the carrying element includes a sub-frameand a child carrier, the sub-frame being hingedly connected to thepushing element, the sub-frame being adapted to receive the childcarrier and the sub-frame being capable of being locked in at least oneposition with the pushing element.
 3. Perambulator as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the push rod is telescopically slidable in bothsaid rods.
 4. Perambulator as claimed in claim 1, characterized by asupport element for supporting the pushing element in a locked position.5. Perambulator as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the supportelement is positioned on a side of the pushing element and connected tothe pushing element by a carriage said carriage being slidable along thepushing element and a second locking mechanism for locking the carriagein at least one position with the pushing element.
 6. Perambulator asclaimed in claim 5, characterized by a second release mechanismconnected to the U-shaped push rod for releasing the second lockingmechanism.
 7. Perambulator as claimed in claim 4, characterized in thatthe support element is adapted to perform a spring function. 8.Perambulator as claimed in claim 3, characterized by a support elementfor supporting the pushing element in a locked position.
 9. Perambulatoras claimed in claim 2, characterized by two separate sub-frame lockingmechanisms for connecting the sub-frame to the pushing element. 10.Perambulator as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the firstsub-frame locking mechanism includes a button for releasing the firstsub-frame locking mechanism when pressed and that the second sub-framelocking mechanism includes a lever for placing the second subframelocking mechanism in a released position or in a locked position. 11.Perambulator as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the supportelement is adapted to perform a spring function.
 12. Perambulator asclaimed in claim 6, characterized in that the support element is adaptedto perform a spring function.
 13. Perambulator as claimed in claim 7,characterized in that the carrying element includes a sub-frame and achild carrier, the sub-frame being hingedly connected to the pushingelement, the sub-frame being adapted to receive the child carrier andthe sub-frame being capable of being locked in at least one positionwith the pushing element.
 14. Perambulator as claimed in claim 5,characterized in that the carrying element includes a sub-frame and achild carrier, the sub-frame being hingedly connected to the pushingelement, the sub-frame being adapted to receive the child carrier andthe sub-frame being capable of being locked in at least one positionwith the pushing element.
 15. Perambulator as claimed in claim 6,characterized in that the carrying element includes a sub-frame and achild carrier, the sub-frame being hingedly connected to the pushingelement, the sub-frame being adapted to receive the child carrier andthe sub-frame being capable of being locked in at least one positionwith the pushing element.